Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 9: Emergency Care For Your Cat › Contagious Diseases in Cats ›

Contagious Diseases in Cats: Distemper

Vaccines are available for many of these disorders and should be administered on whatever schedule your veterinarian recommends, based on your cat's potential for exposure. In the case of diseases for which there is no cure, the best approach is to make sure your cat remains indoors, away from potentially infected animals. Be aware that indoor cats are not exempt from vaccinations. Dangerous diseases can be conveyed to them by their owners or during an unauthorized outdoor excursion.

For quick reference, disorders are flagged with a cross (disorders) to indicate that immediate veterinary attention is required. A skull (lethal disorders) designates potentially lethal disorders.

disorderlethal disorderFeline Distemper: Also called feline panleukopenia, this is an entirely different malady from canine distemper. This very dangerous intestinal virus attacks the intestinal lining and bone marrow, causing symptoms ranging from fever and tremors to diarrhea, dehydration, and the destruction of white blood cells. The disease is often lethal to kittens (of those that contract it, about 75 percent die). A vaccine is available.

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Chapter 9: Emergency Care For Your Cat

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I raised three out of five kittens with distemper and all are very healthy active kittens!

purred by Amanda Wagner on Apr 15, 2008 AT 10:59 am PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!